Drone-based documentation of crime scenes and accident sites

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project was to test drones for quick documentation of accident or crime scenes, in order to be able to rapidly work at the scene without obstructing the investigation. The goals were for the technical parties to find out end user needs, to determine how these needs can be fulfilled using technology, and to implement demonstrators. We have identified scenarios, developed corresponding technology, and demonstrated two airborne systems, which show that the concept works.

Expected results and effects

Drones with imaging technology for crime and accident scenes, and functions for autonomous flight, have been developed and demonstrated. The benefits of using hyperspectral imaging to find traces, which are otherwise difficult to detects, has been shown. The end users have gained knowledge about the possibilities brought by this technology, while the technical parties have learned about the needs for imaging technology in actual scenarios.

Planned approach and implementation

In the project, scenarios relevant to the end users were defined and discussed, after which technology for these scenarios was developed and evaluated. High technical demands caused the project to focus mostly on development. The scenarios were used to stage environments with interesting objects for 3D imaging and for detection with hyperspectral sensors. The technical requirements on the imaging systems were defined by these environments.